Melissa on a Mission:

"When I founded Latched Mama seven years ago, I had two children under 2 years old, and like many parents at that stage, I was struggling to find a purpose in the sea of diaper changes, Target trips, and mommy-and-me gymnastics. It was then that I found my passion in providing for other women what the experience had lacked for me: support, community, and postpartum clothes that actually fit. As the business grew, so did the community. Now, I continue my mission to support new moms and normalize affordable nursing wear with the help of my team of 42 employees." -Melissa

Melissa Wirt is the CEO and founder of Latched Mama, a breastfeeding-apparel company whose parent-friendly policies are setting a new standard for flexible work. A certified lactation counselor, Melissa founded Latched Mama in 2014 in response to the lack of comfortable, stylish, and affordable nursing-wear options for women. Latched Mama has since grown into a robust brand and community that counts close to half a million members and has been featured in media outlets ranging from Business Insider to USA Today to CBS This Morning. 

Humble Beginnings:

"Latched Mama was born on a park bench at the playground. I distinctly remember unzipping my sweatshirt and being incredibly cold while Alex ate. I remember making sure that the cold, hard zipper wasn't pushing against his cheek and suddenly thinking that there had to be a better way. I researched what was available in the market and was turned away by the pricing. So I set off to create styles that were functional, comfortable and affordable. We launched Latched Mama in the fall of 2014 and haven't looked back!" -Melissa

“When we opened our first Latched Mama warehouse/office seven years ago everyone I talked to told me that it couldn’t be done. “You can’t let your employees bring their babies to work!” “What about productivity?” “Your bottom line will be affected!” “Kids are a liability in business.” 

I heard it all.

And my answer was always the same: “I’ve gotten this far with my babies with me everyday there is no reason why other women can’t do it too.” So the culture at Latched Mama was created. There have been many days where I have sat back and looked at our moms and babies working in tandem and thought, “If only they could see us now”.

This pandemic is terrible. The ups the downs, the stress, the shear emotional weight on us all. Being everyone’s everything with a new set of rules and social expectations. But when searching for some beauty in all of the mess, I find it in the world finally seeing the true strength of mothers. It’s undeniable.

Will some chose to ignore it? Sure. But don’t ever forget your power, your strength, and your importance in this world. Stand tall and remember that even on your worst day, you are strong and you are capable. It’s going to get better, and when it does I only hope that we are no longer underestimated. -Melissa Wirt💕🤱

“Latched Mama didn’t just save my confidence as a mom- it GAVE me my confidence as a mom. The difference breastfeeding a baby without Latched Mama and with Latched Mama was night and day. So thankful for this line!!!” - M 💕